Canine Dental Care

Can you imagine going a week without brushing your teeth? Probably not, yet many dog owners go months or even years without tending to their dog’s dental needs at home.

Dental disease is fairly common in dogs, but lack of oral hygiene can lead to serious health problems for our pets, including heart disease. Having your pet’s teeth cleaned regularly by your vet is important, but at-home care is also a critical component of a healthy dental plan. Without proper home care, periodontal disease can progress quickly.

Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth daily. However, even brushing 3 times a week can make a big difference. We recommend using products by Virbac Animal Health, which are available at our Palm City office for those who live here in Martin County or on the Treasure Coast. Specifically we suggest using C.E.T. home dental care Enzymatic Toothpaste. C.E.T. also sells pet toothbrushes.

Chews can also be an important and easy way to maintain your pet’s dental health. Many chews claim to help clean teeth, but not all of them actually work. C.E.T. HEXTRA Oral Hygiene chews are a good choice.

There are several ways that you can make the process of at-home pet teeth brushing easier. First, be consistent. The more often you do it, the more comfortable your pet will become with the process. Second, provide positive reinforcement after brushing, such as affection or a healthy chew or treat. Finally, go slow. Any new behavior has to be learned.

Additionally, you should be aware of symptoms that may indicate serious problems like periodontal disease. If your dog is experiencing very bad breath, loose or painful teeth, or blisters or lumps in the mouth, we recommend that you schedule a visit with us.